Dish Network Settles Voom Dispute

It had to happen: Dish Network, which had been repeatedlyreprimanded over the course of its protracted dispute with AMC subsidiary Voom HD, settled the $2.4 billion lawsuit to the tune of $700 million—well below analysts expectations of at least $1 billion. It also agreed to start carrying AMC Networks again after a months-long face-off.

AMC had pulled out all the stops to get its carriage partner to return to the fold. There was the zombie march on Washington, D.C., the "where's my AMC" video contest, the recruitment of Don Draper himself to head the ad campaign. Ultimately, Dish only seemed to want leverage in the Voom suit, as it wasn't expected to have much of a chance in court against the cable programmer.

“We are glad to have settled the case and re-established our long-term relationships with AMC Networks and Cablevision,” Dave Shull, svp of programming at Dish, stated in a press release. “This multiyear deal delivers a fair value for both parties and includes digital expansion opportunities for AMC Networks’ programming.”

AMC resumed broadcasting on Sunday night. IFC, WEtv, Sundance Channel and Fuse will return to the network on Nov. 1.

It had to happen: Dish Network, which had been repeatedlyreprimanded over the course of its protracted dispute with AMC subsidiary Voom HD, settled the $2.4 billion lawsuit to the tune of $700 million—well below analysts expectations of at least $1 billion. It also agreed to start carrying AMC Networks again after a months-long face-off.

AMC had pulled out all the stops to get its carriage partner to return to the fold. There was the zombie march on Washington, D.C., the "where's my AMC" video contest, the recruitment of Don Draper himself to head the ad campaign. Ultimately, Dish only seemed to want leverage in the Voom suit, as it wasn't expected to have much of a chance in court against the cable programmer.

“We are glad to have settled the case and re-established our long-term relationships with AMC Networks and Cablevision,” Dave Shull, svp of programming at Dish, stated in a press release. “This multiyear deal delivers a fair value for both parties and includes digital expansion opportunities for AMC Networks’ programming.”

AMC resumed broadcasting on Sunday night. IFC, WEtv, Sundance Channel and Fuse will return to the network on Nov. 1.